A History of Latin America

THE AZTECS OF MEXICO 25

Tenochtitlán to be offered up on the altars of
the gods. In addition, periodic tribute payments
of maize, cotton mantles, cacao beans, or other
products—depending on the geography and re-
sources of the region—were imposed on the van-
quished. Certain lands were also set aside to be
cultivated by them for the support of the Aztec
crown, priesthood, and state offi cials or as fi efs
given to warriors who had distinguished them-
selves in battle. A steward or tribute collector,
sometimes assisted by a resident garrison, was sta-

tioned in the town. As for the rest, the conquered

people usually continued to enjoy autonomy in

government, culture, and customs.

Because of its nonintegrated character, which

was refl ected in the relative autonomy enjoyed by

vanquished peoples and the light Aztec political

and military presence in conquered territories, the

Aztec Empire has traditionally been regarded as

an inferior or defi cient political organization com-

pared to the Inca Empire, with its centralized ad-

ministration, standing armies, massive transfers of

Town

Triple Alliance capital

Volcano

Mountain

Swampland

Causeway

PACIFIC OCEAN

Gulf of Mexico

Palenque Tikal

Chichén

VALLEY Itzá

OF MEXICOTeotihuacán

Xaltocán

Teotihuacán

Huexotla

Coatlichan

Tenayucan Izhuatepec

Tepetzinco

Iztacalco

Cuautitlán

Chalco

Cuitlahuac

Coyoacan

Huitzilopocho

Tlalpan

Totan

Tepeyacac

Mexic

altzingo

Azcapotzalco

Xochimilco

Itztapalapan

Colhuácan

Tlatelolco

Zumpango

Mizquic

Maya site

Area of main map

Lake

Texcoco

Lake

Chalco

Lake

Xochimilco

Lake

Xaltocán

Lake

Zumpango

Iztaccihuatl

Popocatepetl

Tlaloc

Texcoco

Tlacopan

Tenochtitlán

015Mi.

015Km. 10

10

5

5

Valley of Mexico